Means for indicating the force with which alpha baseball strikes alpha target



Aug. 22, 1933. I J. COOPER 1,923,297

MEANS FOR INDIGATING THE FORCE WITH WHICH A BASEBALL STRIKES A TARGET Filed Nov. 28, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor pmm Aug. 22, 1933. COQPER 1,923,297

MEANS FOR INDICATING THE FORCE WITH WHICH A BASEBALL STRIKES A TARGET Filed Nov. 28, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 flliorney Patented Aug. 22, 1933 UNITED STATES MEANS ronammca'rmc THE roses WITH WHICHA'BASEBALL STRIKES A TARGET John Cooper, De Kidder, 11a.

Application November 28, 1931 V Serial No. 577,816

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an improved machine or apparatus for indicating the force with which a baseball strikes a target, and has more particular reference to a structure primarily designed for use in a concession at a place of amusement, but equally well adaptable for practical usage at baseball parks and the like.

Briefly stated, the inventive conception comprehends the use of a suitable ball confining cage, a pendulous target, a suitable dial-equipped register, and an operating connection between said device and register to accurately register the force with which the ball strikes the target.

My primary aim is to provide a structural assembly of this type characterized by simplicity and efiiciency, capable of promoting untold competitive and amusing results, and calculated to supply the need for a machine of this kind for recruit pitchers at baseball grounds.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in section and elevation showing the general assemblage of parts developed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section.

Figure 3 is afront end elevational View.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the rear end portion of the structure. I

Figure 5 is a horizontal detail section showing the retaining pawl and rack mechanism.

Figure 6 is a detail view of said mechanism.

In accordance with the invention, I provide a suitable cage generally designated by the numeral 7 and this is constructed from appropriate framework 8 and confining walls 9 of canvas, screen, or the like. Supported on bearing posts 10 near the rear end of the cage is a horizontal shaft 11 which constitutes the primary support for a pendulous backstop or target 12. The target comprises a U-shaped frame whose arms 13 are provided with adjustable counterweightsl i and also provided with a V-shaped yoke 15 pivotally mounted on the shaft or red 11.

On the crown portion of the frame is an element 16 which may be conveniently referred to as a bulls eye" and suitably supported on the frame are shock-absorbing pads 17. This target is mounted for free swinging pendulous action in the rear portion of the cage and proportioned to be confined within the limits of said cage. When at rest it is normally in a perpendicular position to serve as a convenient target against which the baseballs 18 are thrown.

These baseballs are normally held in suitable receptacles or boxes 19 on the shelf or counter "20 supported near the frontal portion of the cage. Also supported from this shelf is an appropriate registering device 21 having a graduated dial 22 and a companion pointer 23 to register the force with which the ball strikes the target. The registering mechanism (not shown) no is actuated through the medium of a cog or pinion 24 whose teeth mesh with a segmental rack 25 pivotally mounted as at 26 on a suitable horizontal support 27. The numeral 28 indicates an anchoring or retaining spring for returning the o5 rack to its normal state and retarding the action of the operating rod 29.

This rod 29 is pivotally connected to the frame of the segmental rack 25 and also pivotallyconnected as at 30 to the apex portion of the V- shaped yoke 15.

The intermediate portion of the rod 29 is provided with ratchet teeth 31 and this toothed portion of the rod extends through a slot in a cross bar 32 on the. framework. This cross bar is provided with loop-like guide straps 33 which constitute keepers for the gravity-lowered check strip or pawl 34. This pawl and ratchet mechanism operates to hold the rod 29 in the position to which it has been moved after the blow is struck so that the reading on the register may be observed. After the reading is made the pawl is raised to permit the parts to return to normal position.

I have yet to mention the part 35 which is a canvas trap and ball return. It begins at a point within the vicinity of the pendulous backstop and is gradually deepened toward the counter 20 so as to permit the ball to be conveniently retrieved for re-using.

In practice, the participants are allotted a certain number of baseballs to be thrown in competition with one another, and as is customary in devices of this kind, the participants stand at a convenient place near the frontal portion of the cage and throw the ball in a direction toward the target 12. The idea is to throw the ball forcibly, as hard as possible, against the target so as to tilt the backstop rearwardly against the action of the weights 14.

In so doing, the leverage action forces the rod 29 in a forward direction to actuate the rack 25. Obviously the rack 25 operates the pointer 23 through the medium of the registering mechanism in the device 21. As'before indicated, the pawl 34 co-operates with the teeth 31 in maintaining the parts in this state until said mechanism is again manually released.

In practice it may be desired to provide a hook 36 on the upper portion of the pendulous frame so as to receive testing weights for making periodical tests of the accuracy of the register, etc. For instance a five pound weight is hung on the hook 36 and if the resulting movement of the target moves the register finger 23 to the numeral 5 on the dial the parts are properly adjusted.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

In a device of the class described, a'target comprising an inverted U-shaped frame, a padded member extending across the upper part of the frame, a rock shaft to which an intermediate portion of the frame is connected, weights adjustably connected to the lower part of each limb of the frame, a U-shaped member located in the frame and connected therewith with its lower end located below the shaft, a register, means for operating the same, a rod connecting said means with the lower end of the U-shaped member, a rack on the rod and a gravity pawl engaging the rack for holding the parts in the position to which they have been moved by a blow struck the target.

JOHN COOPER. 

